My Everything | Damie

Chapter 6

Jamie's Pov;

A strange mingle of anxiety and elatement pulsate in my chest as I watch Dakota step onto the starting point of the isle. She looks so stunning, and happy, and vibrant. She takes my breath away. At first she doesn't look at me, only at her feet, but as soon as her eyes meet mine I feel my breath return. I break into a smile as she takes off running, running into my readily waiting arms. Our guests are laughing and I am too, but the only sound I can hear is Dakota's soft breaths. Dakota turns and apologizes to our little crowd, her smile huge and unapologetic. "I just couldn't wait another second." She gushes, then to my surprise she hops onto her tiptoes and pulls me in for a kiss. I kiss her feverishly, matching her same intensity. Then abruptly we stop. Dakota apologizes again and there's more laughter. I place my hands on each side of her face, keeping her steady and focused on only me. I tell her to take a deep breath and remind her we have lines to say, just like I would on set. When everyone settles down Dakota and I each take a deep breath, knowing what's to come. "Would you like to go first?" I offer, knowing she will. She's never been one to hold back once she's made her mind up and I know for certain she's very determined to pronounce her love for me right here, right now, no more waiting. When she speaks her voice is soft, concise, and loving. When she tells me I'm everything to her, everything she's ever needed, everything she'll ever need, I believe her. I feel the same way for her. When It's my turn I don't quite speak with the same elegance of Dakota. I use my american accent to say her name, knowing it makes her laugh without failure every time I use it. I tell her I love her just like I do every day. She's my second chance at the kind of love most can only dream of, how could I not tell her that everyday? I'm so grateful to have her in my life. I'd do anything to make her happy. I promise to love her and protect her, just like I always have, for the rest of our lives. Then the rings are on and we become man and wife. We kiss, sealing the deal, with no more reason to hold back. There's a feeling of completeness for us now. It's like we've just run a marathon and finally made it to the finish line. Of course there will be complications during our marriage, but now we finally can say in every sense of the word that we will be each others partners in everything. We have nothing left to keep us from building the future we've dreamed about.

The reception is held in the backyard as well, hidden from prying eyes by an enormous fence. This union is ours, it does not belong to the public eye, only Dakota and I. Dakota is ushered away by Emily to change into her reception dress, and I hesitantly let her go. Without Dakota on my arm I feel awkward. We both were allocated enough space to invite as many guests as we wanted, but even so most of the guests present are here for Dakota. She just has more friends than I do. I've always been more of the loner type and that works well for me most of the time. However it does not work well when I'm in large social gatherings with no set companion. I wander around a bit, receiving congratulations from various friends and family members, some Dakota's, some mine. I spend the most time with my sister and father, they're the people who matter the most to me. Having them here in a way makes me feel like my mother is in some way present too. Then of course, there's Dulcie and Elva. I know they're with Amelia, but tracking the trio down is proving to be difficult. They sat with my family during the ceremony, but now that they've separated from my father and sister there's no telling where they've ended up. I wander around a bit, following the sound of children screaming. Then, with pink frosting smeared on both little girls faces, I find them being unsuccessfully corralled by Amelia next to the snack tables. "Daddy!" Both girls exclaim, catching sight of me. Dulcie springs into my arms and I catch her, as Elva just grips onto my left leg. "Hey, congratulations." Amelia says, with a light laugh, watching our kids climb on me like a jungle gym. "Thank you." I say, placing a hand on Dulcie's back to prevent her from doing anymore climbing. She's already halfway perched on my shoulder like a bird. I'm so glad that even with their mother being unhappy about my remarrying that the girls got to here. Their father getting married is an important moment in their lives too and I think Amelia can see that now, even if she doesn't like it. The girls love Dakota and they deserve to be able to have her in their lives just as much as me or Amelia. Dakota's their stepmom now. They're going to rely on her just as much as any parent. "The vows were really touching." Amelia says, her expression a little sour. I know the bitterness is directed at my saying Dakota is the only woman who can ever make me feel this way. It's true, I didn't feel the way I do about Dakota about Amelia when we were married. I didn't know this kind of love was possible at the time. "I just wanted to be honest. I don't much care for the typical phrases said in weddings. They're so often empty." I admit and I see her wince the slightest bit. I didn't invite her here to hurt her, and I feel a great amount of sympathy for the pain she has to endure to be supportive. I just don't know what I could do to make things easier on her. I can't hide the truth she just has to find a way to accept it. I hope today will be the day she finally comes to terms with the new boundaries of our relationship. We're co-parents, nothing more, nothing less. I'm ready to start my new life with Dakota and I have to find a way to make my old life fit into the new one I'm making.